Have you ever thought about waxing your bikini area yourself? DIY waxing will definitely save you money, but it can also be intimidating and, frankly, a little scary. But what if we told you it doesn’t have to be this way? With the right materials and a little patience, you can achieve smooth skin and save a ton of change. Ahead, we’ve put together a list of helpful tips for DIY bikini waxes. Read on to learn about the best at-home bikini wax you’ll ever get.
1. Choose your wax
The most important investment product for a DIY bikini wax is wax specifically formulated for sensitive areas. “Use a product specifically made for Brazilian waxing and bikini areas, as these formulas are gentler on the skin,” says Ismail.
She recommends purchasing wax kits that are applied with a spatula rather than ready-to-use wax strips. “When you use a wax kit, you have more control over the area you want to wax,” she says. “As well as helping you apply the wax thickly and evenly, which is especially important for thicker hair.” A hard wax formulated with beeswax is recommended for delicate skin “As well as being gentle, it can keep your skin smooth and hair-free for up to eight weeks.”
As for traditional wax and sugar, “both…remove hair from the follicle, so which method to use comes down to personal preference,” Khetarpal said.
2. Prepare your body
“Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol or coffee before waxing as it can tighten your pores and make them painful,” advises Ismail. “You may be more sensitive and prone to discomfort during your period, so don’t have hair removal during that time. You should also avoid bikini hair removal if you take oral tretinoin or topical tretinoin.”
3. Prep your skin
“When waxing body hair, always exfoliate first,” says Ismail. “A well-timed exfoliation has many benefits. It removes dead skin cells that clog hair follicles, which is the cause of ingrown hairs. Exfoliation also increases circulation, promotes cell regeneration, and improves skin tone and appearance.”
Then, Ismail says to prep the skin by “making sure the area is clean, dry, free of oil and moisturizer.”
Tips: Hair length should be at least 1/8 inch when using wax. “It’s best to let the hair grow out for 3-4 weeks before waxing. If the hair is too short, waxing may not remove it.
4. Apply wax
Follow the wax kit’s instructions and apply wax evenly to a section about three inches long by two inches wide and about a nickel thick. Apply in the direction of hair growth and don’t stop at the edge of hair growth; go past that point.
5. Remove wax
Check to see if the wax has hardened after about 30 seconds; it should sound like you are tapping your fingernail against hard plastic. The wax will darken and become less sticky as it hardens. If the wax isn’t hard enough when you remove it, you won’t be able to remove all the hair.
Once the hair wax has hardened, gently lift a small section of your hair that isn’t stuck to it; you’ll want to use it as a tab. Use one hand to pull the skin taut and remove the wax by pulling quickly in the opposite direction of hair growth, like peeling off a bandage. Don’t pull up, this may be your natural tendency.
Immediately after the wax is removed, press your hands onto the skin to help relieve some pain.
6. Repeat the process
Follow the same method and wax your bikini area until all hair is removed. If the wax missed a few hairs (it probably did), use alcohol-sterilized tweezers to remove them.
7. Soothes skin
When you are satisfied that all hair has been removed from the bikini area, use the wax remover included in the kit to remove any remaining residue. Your skin may be a little red and sore; use aloe vera gel to calm it down, or, if it’s not available, open the refrigerator. “Ice can be used if your skin is sensitive after hair removal,” says Khetarpal.
8. Practice proper aftercare
Just as proper preparation leads to better results, good bikini wax aftercare can greatly reduce ingrown hairs, itchiness, and discomfort. “To prevent ingrown hairs, exfoliate daily after 24 hours” advises Ismiel. As Horn explains, waxing “Leaves hair fragments under the skin’s surface, and when they penetrate your skin, they cause inflammation because they are like a foreign body.” Exfoliation helps To prevent this situation. You can also use products that contain soothing aloe vera and green tea extracts, suitable for minimizing ingrown hairs, irritation, redness, and bumps by reducing the buildup of dead cells that clog pores.
“Be gentle on the skin,” Keitapal advises. “Avoid direct sunlight, use of medicated cleansers, or acne lotions for at least a week after hair removal. After hair removal, wear loose-fitting clothing and minimize friction (i.e., movement) to the area until the skin looks and feels normal. It may take a few days.” Ismail also says that certain fabrics can irritate freshly waxed skin: “Choose light-colored cotton panties rather than lace or nylon panties,” she says. “To prevent irritation and ingrown hairs, don’t shave in between waxing sessions.” She recommends avoiding perfume or balm.
9. Conclusion
That’s all we’ve put together for you on how to make your own bikini wax at home and make your skin smoother and less painful. After reading this article you have mastered the basic skills, please hurry up and make it with your friends!